Michael Ayrton (1921–1975)
What is Michael Ayrton’s work worth?
As of 2 November 2026, OpeningBid has recorded 320 auction results for Michael Ayrton at 29 houses since 1999. Over the last 24 months the median price was $2,226 including buyer’s premium (middle half $1,012–$4,911, n=36). The auction record is $306,659 for The Arkville Minotaur (2013, Christie's). Source: OpeningBid, an independent auction-results database.
| # | Work | Medium | Price | House | Sold |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | The Arkville Minotaur, 1968-69 | Bronze with a grey/green patina | $306,659 | Christie's | Jul 2013 |
| 2 | Icarus Falls VI, 1960 | Oil and mixed media on board | $154,946 | Sotheby's | Jun 2021 |
| 3 | Icarus rising III | Patinated bronze | $69,702 | Woolley and Wallis | Feb 2018 |
| 4 | Golden Couple (Afternoon), 1973 | 18 carat yellow gold, on a black stone base | $61,840 | Christie's | Oct 2022 |
| 5 | Falconer III | Oil on board | $44,308 | Sotheby's | Nov 2016 |
| 6 | Falcon Watcher, 1954 | Bronze | $43,750 | Rago Arts | Nov 2021 |
| 7 | Talos, 1921 | Bronze | $40,728 | Bonhams | Jun 2024 |
| 8 | Icarus II | Bronze | $37,978 | Sotheby's | Nov 2016 |
| 9 | Actor | Painted bronze | $31,649 | Sotheby's | Nov 2016 |
| 10 | Large Cycladic I | Gouache, oil and sand on board | $31,649 | Sotheby's | Nov 2016 |
| Medium | Sales | Median |
|---|---|---|
| Sculpture | 80 | $7,058 |
| Paintings | 47 | $5,486 |
| Other | 32 | $2,809 |
| Works on paper | 65 | $1,505 |
| Prints | 31 | $393 |
| Size | Sales | Median |
|---|---|---|
| Large (over 120 cm) | 12 | $17,583 |
| Medium (50-120 cm) | 81 | $4,263 |
| Small (under 50 cm) | 142 | $2,798 |
Data as of 2 November 2026 · Source: OpeningBid, 320 results from 29 houses · How we compute these figures
Michael Ayrton is a British (modern) artist with 393 auction lots recorded since 1999, median price $3,278. Some sold prices are hammer-only and exclude the buyer's premium; they are marked on this page. Some sold prices are not yet verified as premium-inclusive or hammer, and are marked on this page.
A work by Michael Ayrton is recorded as sold in 2026 for $6,346; whether the price includes the buyer's premium is not yet verified, according to OpeningBid's index of auction results.
2 Michael Ayrton works are coming to auction (as of 2026-11-02). Follow Michael Ayrton free on OpeningBid for sale alerts.
See the full Michael Ayrton record on OpeningBid — images, provenance, fair estimates and free sale alerts.
View Michael Ayrton on OpeningBid →What is a Michael Ayrton work worth?
Across 303 sold lots tracked by OpeningBid, the median price of a Michael Ayrton work is $3,278.
The median Michael Ayrton work on paper sells for $1,326 across 85 lots.
The median Michael Ayrton sculpture sells for $7,119 across 88 lots.
The median Michael Ayrton painting sells for $5,682 across 58 lots.
Small (under 50 cm) Michael Ayrton work on papers typically sell for $940–$2,253 (the middle half of 66 sold lots).
Small (under 50 cm) Michael Ayrton sculptures typically sell for $4,173–$10,130 (the middle half of 62 sold lots).
Prices are premium-inclusive where the house records them; hammer-only prices exclude the buyer's premium, and some prices are not yet basis-verified.
Price breakdown by category
| Category | Lots tracked | Median price | Record price | Sell-through | Last sale |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Prints & Editions | 54 | $384†‡ | $15,824 | 83.3% | 2026-06-02 |
| Paintings | 70 | $5,682†‡ | $154,946 | 82.9% | 2026-06-02 |
| Works on Paper | 98 | $1,326†‡ | $31,649 | 86.7% | 2026-10-30 |
| Sculpture & Installation | 98 | $7,119†‡ | $306,659 | 89.8% | 2026-06-02 |
| Masterpieces (top of market) | 16 | $34,814 | $306,659 | — | 2024-06-19 |
† hammer price — buyer's premium not included. ‡ reported price — whether it includes the buyer's premium is not yet verified.
Michael Ayrton's market splits by medium. Prints & Editions (54 lots) median $384 with 83.3% sell-through. Paintings (70 lots) median $5,682, record $154,946. A typical Michael Ayrton painting sells for around 15× the price of a typical print. At the top of the market (top 5% of sales, 16 lots) the median is $34,814.
Price by size
Prints & Editions
| Size | Sold lots | Typical range (p25–p75) | Median | Record |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| small (under 50 cm) | 23 | $336–$665†‡ | $472†‡ | $2,405† |
| medium (50–120 cm) | 21 | $197–$427†‡ | $335†‡ | $15,824 |
† hammer price — buyer's premium not included. ‡ reported price — whether it includes the buyer's premium is not yet verified.
Paintings
| Size | Sold lots | Typical range (p25–p75) | Median | Record |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| small (under 50 cm) | 22 | $2,899–$7,418†‡ | $5,578†‡ | $19,077 |
| medium (50–120 cm) | 32 | $3,613–$11,161‡ | $5,360‡ | $44,308 |
† hammer price — buyer's premium not included. ‡ reported price — whether it includes the buyer's premium is not yet verified.
Works on Paper
| Size | Sold lots | Typical range (p25–p75) | Median | Record |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| small (under 50 cm) | 66 | $940–$2,253†‡ | $1,252†‡ | $11,328 |
| medium (50–120 cm) | 17 | $1,202–$3,988†‡ | $1,937†‡ | $15,824 |
† hammer price — buyer's premium not included. ‡ reported price — whether it includes the buyer's premium is not yet verified.
Sculpture & Installation
| Size | Sold lots | Typical range (p25–p75) | Median | Record |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| small (under 50 cm) | 62 | $4,173–$10,130†‡ | $6,691†‡ | $61,840 |
| medium (50–120 cm) | 14 | $5,217–$17,844‡ | $8,001‡ | $69,702 |
| large (over 120 cm) | 7 | $9,121–$42,239 | $17,580 | $306,659 |
† hammer price — buyer's premium not included. ‡ reported price — whether it includes the buyer's premium is not yet verified.
Size is the work's longest edge. Cells appear only with at least 5 sold lots.
Notable results
| Medium | Year | Price |
|---|---|---|
| Sculpture & Installation | 2013 | $306,659 |
| Paintings | 2021 | $154,946 |
| Sculpture & Installation | 2018 | $69,702 |
| Paintings | 2016 | $44,308 |
| Works on Paper | 2016 | $31,649 |
| Prints & Editions | 2016 | $15,824 |
| Works on Paper | 2016 | $15,824 |
| Prints & Editions | 2006 | $2,405† |
† hammer price — buyer's premium not included.
The highest recorded result in each medium. See the full sale history on OpeningBid.
Frequently asked questions
What is a Michael Ayrton worth?
Across 303 sold lots tracked by OpeningBid, the median price of a Michael Ayrton work is $3,278. The median Michael Ayrton work on paper sells for $1,326 across 85 lots. The median Michael Ayrton sculpture sells for $7,119 across 88 lots. The median Michael Ayrton painting sells for $5,682 across 58 lots. Small (under 50 cm) Michael Ayrton work on papers typically sell for $940–$2,253 (the middle half of 66 sold lots). Small (under 50 cm) Michael Ayrton sculptures typically sell for $4,173–$10,130 (the middle half of 62 sold lots). Prices are premium-inclusive where the house records them; hammer-only prices exclude the buyer's premium, and some prices are not yet basis-verified.
What is the average price of a Michael Ayrton work on paper?
Based on 85 sold lots tracked by OpeningBid, the median auction price of a Michael Ayrton work on paper is $1,326. Prices are premium-inclusive where the house records them; hammer-only prices exclude the buyer's premium, and some prices are not yet basis-verified.
What is Michael Ayrton's most expensive work on paper?
The highest price recorded at auction for a Michael Ayrton work on paper is $31,649.
What is the average price of a Michael Ayrton sculpture?
Based on 88 sold lots tracked by OpeningBid, the median auction price of a Michael Ayrton sculpture is $7,119. Prices are premium-inclusive where the house records them; hammer-only prices exclude the buyer's premium, and some prices are not yet basis-verified.
What is Michael Ayrton's most expensive sculpture?
The highest price recorded at auction for a Michael Ayrton sculpture is $306,659.
What is the average price of a Michael Ayrton painting?
Based on 58 sold lots tracked by OpeningBid, the median auction price of a Michael Ayrton painting is $5,682. Prices are premium-inclusive where the house records them; hammer-only prices exclude the buyer's premium, and some prices are not yet basis-verified.
What is Michael Ayrton's most expensive painting?
The highest price recorded at auction for a Michael Ayrton painting is $154,946.
What is the average price of a small Michael Ayrton work on paper?
Based on 66 sold lots, the median auction price of a small Michael Ayrton work on paper (small (under 50 cm)) is $1,252, according to OpeningBid's index of auction results. Prices are premium-inclusive where the house records them; hammer-only prices exclude the buyer's premium, and some prices are not yet basis-verified.
What is the average price of a small Michael Ayrton sculpture?
Based on 62 sold lots, the median auction price of a small Michael Ayrton sculpture (small (under 50 cm)) is $6,691, according to OpeningBid's index of auction results. Prices are premium-inclusive where the house records them; hammer-only prices exclude the buyer's premium, and some prices are not yet basis-verified.
What is Michael Ayrton's auction record?
Michael Ayrton's auction record is $306,659, set in 2013.
See the full Michael Ayrton record on OpeningBid — images, provenance, fair estimates and free sale alerts.
View Michael Ayrton on OpeningBid →